Shower head



Nov. 6, 1951 R M, R SM N 2,573,904

' SHOWER HEAD Filed Jan. 4, 1950 INVENTOR. ELc/zard fitras'smam drilledor otherwise formed therein, and is sufficiently large at its inner endsubstantially to encompass the aperture in the ball l2 in any angularposition of adjustment of the spray head on the ball. The inner end wallof this recess is bevelled or chamfered, as at 18, to fit against theball 12 and is preferably provided with an annular recess to receive asuitable packing material and which may take the form of a washer is toensure a watertight engagement of the core member .M with'the ball l2in. anyand all positions of adjustment of the core member on the ballduring its change of position.

The core member 14 is thus secured to the ball 15 I2 by a suitablesocket collar 20 having anin wardly extending annular flange or lip 2lhaving an opening of a size to pass over the outer end of coupling H buttoo small to pass over the ball l2 thereof, as indicated in Figs..; 1and 2,

and therefore engaging the same. The collar 20 is internally threaded inits outer end portion and isadapted to thread onto the inner end of thecore member M, as indicated, and thus to clamp the two together. Theouter surface of collar 20 is preferably roughened or knurled, asby thelongitudinal small grooves 22 shown in Fig. 1 which gives it a goodfinger grip for suitably tightening and loosening the same, without theuse of tools, to cause the core member efficiently to be pressed againstand connected with the ball to provide a watertight connection and yetpermit the head to be moved and adjusted angularly on the ball, thefrictional contact between the core and ball permitting such movementand maintaining the core and head in any adjusted position. V

The outer surface of the coupling H is also preferably knurled bylongitudinal grooves similar to lines or grooves 22 of the collar.

, The core member is thus directly connected with the ball joint., Thecore member is provided with apertures 23 in any desired number,preferably four, which may be drilled or formed through the'wall betweenthe bottom of recess l1 and the space in advance of the end'section I5aroundthe portion lfiand forming a. passage for water therethrough.

.The end section [5 or head of the core member l4, rigidly attachedthereto and preferably integral therewith, is cylindrical, somewhat lessin diameter than the exterior of the. .apertured portion of the member,has a relatively .wide and generally smooth peripheral .edge. 24 forminga cylindrical surface longitudinally parallel to the alxis of thememberandto the exterior of the said recessed portion of said member.This peripheral edge 24 of. the end section is provided with a pluralityof tapered spray-stream-forming groovesor passages 25 extendinglongitudinally thereacross and spaced apart preferably equally, asindicated, all around the said edge. Said grooves may be triangularincross section, as indicated, or of other form, such as round, squareor the like; arepreferably deepest and widest at their inner ends, thatis, larger in cross section, and gradually taper and diminish in crosssection to their outer ends, where, at the outer face of said sectionI5, they are relatively very small, preferablypin-point in size, asindicated in Fig. 6. Thus, needle-like spray streams may be produced ifdesired. As will be understood, the water to form the shower spray isejected through these grooves 25, and .in order to complete the same,and to con- .fine the water theretoithe core member [4 is provided withan adjustable sleeve or collar '26 having an internally threaded portion21 at its inner end adapted to thread on the outer externally threadedend of the core member l4, said collar 26 having an inturned,cylindrical, flat, ring-like flange or end sleeve portion 28 ofsubstantial width and smooth-surfaced and of a size closely to fit thesaid peripheral cylindrical edge 24 of the spaced end section E5 of thecore member Hi. -The. fit of "the ring; 28"00 the said peripheral edge'24 is such as to be substantially watertight but to be rotatablethereon and slid- "able longitudinally thereof in the rotation of the.threaded collar 26 by the hand. The collar also preferably grooved andsmoothed outwardly on the inside, as at 29, and of slightly largerdiameter than the threaded portion 21 and of thestream-adjusting ring,sleeve or collar 28, fora freer movement of the water. The outer end ofthe adjusting collar 26 is provided with a slight forwardlyprojectingring portion 3| serving as a splash guard in case a jet or jets tend tospurt transversely due to small bits of dirt in the grooves or othertemporary causes.

As thus constructed, the adjustment of the ring 28 longitudinally alongthe peripheral edge of end section [5 of the core member determines thesize and character of the spray stream issu ing from the grooves 25.Thus, when the collar is out even with the outer face of the. endsection I5, as indicated in dotted lines 3% in Fig. 2, the streams issuein a fine, needle-like spray. When the collar is farther back, forexample as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the individual streams arelarger and the spray softer; When the collaris still farther back, thespray may become a generous soaking spray. In all positions of thecollar the, issuing spray streamis comparatively of small diameter dueto the axial parallelism of the contacting cylindrical surfaces 28 ofthe collar 26 and the periphery 2'4 of the section l5; and if the spraygrooves extend across the head or section l5 parallel with the axis, ofthe shower head, the jets issue practically parallel thereto, thoughspreading outwardly somewhat as the jets try to escape from theuncovered portions of the grooves to form a slightly larger spray streamas a Whole.

It'is preferred, however, to provide a more divergent spray stream whilestill keeping it within suitable confines, such as the limits: of thebathtub and away from walls, window sills, bath;- room floors, and theylike, and at the same time maintaining control of the individual streamsor jets of thespray throughout their range of adjustment from fine tocoarse and economizing in the amount of water used.

To accomplishthis, the spray grooves or pas: sages 25 extend across theperipheral edge 24 of the heador end section 15, each at a slight anglelaterally to a longitudinal line there through parallel to the axis ofthe core member. Thus, in-Fig. 7, the line 35 may represent the mediallongitudinal line through the groove 25 and parallel to the axis of thecore, and the line 36 the medial line or axis of the'circumfera entiallyofiset groove, 25, The angle 37 represents the lateraldivergencereferred to of the groove -from a longitudinal linetherethrough parallel to the axis of thev core. The extent of this angle31 depends upon the divergence of the spray stream desired under theconditions prevailing. shower purposes and with substantially the'proportions shown, with about 20 grooves provided For ordinary bathire-the:heed na under tramarwcenuamnsean afigle' 33 "oi -2 to i5 de'ees' hasbeen tEoundsafii's faetory to prdddce' a spray stream fl towinches iri'diafneter at 'fiveo'r si'x fet away f-romthe new zle; butother angles, greater or less, may be'iused if-desired and m'or e "o'r"less grooves; The gfiea'ter the' angle the largerthe crosssection ortne-spray stream away from the nozzle.

This location 'of the grooves, which may be appropriately and accurately'referredto as askew or helical to the axis of the eer e, l-ike therifling grooves-of a gun barrehdifiers, of cour se-irom thatwhere thegrooves run straight across :"the edge of the head, parallel to the axiso fthe 'core; Where no 1 substantial divergence of-the spray stream-issecured, and also fromtipped upor expandinggrooves in -radial planes "ofthe cor e wherein a wide, bell-like or expanded-spray is obtained orcontrol of the individual streams the spray is lost in attemptingtoregulate or increase the size of the individual streams:

Such control of r the individual divergent streams is due to therelative longitudinal lmove ment of the co-operating' grooved and" covermembers, with the grooves askew, as-explained, tothe'axis or movement,since the cover're'ma ins inwatertight contact with the surfaces at-thesides of or between thevgroovesand-confines the streams to the grooveswhatever the relative longitudinal adjustment of the" two members maybe. For this purpose the grooves maybe located in either member and theothermem berbe smooth, either member maybe relatively stationary and theother member longitudinally movable with respect thereto,andthe'relative longitudinal movement may be the result of the rotationof either member with respect to the other on a suitable threaded orlikesupport' o"r' by the longitudinal sliding of either memberon or withrespect-to the other without rota'tionv In all, however, the groovesei'c tend at a-late'ral angle to thesaid longitudinal movement.Alsop-the nozzle parts may be -otherthan-circular in cross section-if adifierent pattern' of spray stream-"bedesired.

Shower -heads-are stibjec't'to -moreor 1ess-c1oggi-ng due to gritor-particlesin the water-or other conditions which may causecondsierable tram Me and expense to clean" the sameand may causereplacements to-be mader I n-the present invention, the-adjusting collarmaybe tur'ned'to afiforwa'rd position substantially-asshownin Fig-i 3,-'wh'ere-the ring sleeve portion-280i the-"collar it'is forwardoftheendoi section +51 whereby a -fiushing passage is formed for waterall aIQldIl'd said end section and the grooves; which sufiiee's'in-mos-t instancesto flush and clean out the clog-- ging matter. Theshower head is thus self clean mg. If, however, this does not provesui-fic-ient; the collar 2-6 may be further turneda'nd takenoff-entirely from the core member fora thorough cleaning of the parts.The shower head ie-"there forecapable of'being cleaned under anycircumstances with very little trouble.

The 'adjustingco'llar 26 may be readily" turned by the fingers withoutthe use of toolsan'd' with out getting 'the'hand, wrist or rorearmintotne spraystream. The collar ispreferablysiriodthon tlrieexterior, asshown, though it may be knurled desired. It is preferably made to engagethe eiidedge or the banana atits iniierend, asindi- (faitd in Fig. 2- by'thedo'tted 1ines'"32; 'uerore'tiie inner edge of the ring 28 reachesthe ou'tefe'n'd ofthe threaded portion of the core member'when serewingtheco'llarrearwartlly overtire end of saie memter'as ser es/at 'wil-lgog and' -this will be before 'the rfr ig 28 -passes' inwardly off thepe ripheral oved iedge Oi 'said seetion I 5:

raagement and relationship;'=the ad= justing collar 26" is not so liableto be turned in:- warm: to 'a bindin'g stop; tending to'stick anddfifieult to' release; sinoetheengagement between the tw collars outsideand plainlyivisiblez whereas the edge 'iof-the ringeizt and end 0f thethreaded portion 0f core 14-" are inside; out of sight, and w-ith anadvantage of'leverage; so that a bindingistopiwould bemore apt to bemade thereby 'than by: the two collars outside.

Inopera-tiorr, the water flows through the aperturedi balL the recess 1I 1 in the-core'member -l 4, :th 'roughthe .apertures 23; and into thespace before theendse'ctioh l5; From there it shoots out-throughthe-*groo'Ves-25 to iormthe spray stream," :as 'desc'ri'bed.

The ith-rea'ded -=connecdon of r the "adj ustingr' colla-r with the'core'member 'I 4 is of accurately well fittedthreads iandis' relied onto prevent leakage of .water at that' point. However, if desired,..aWi'atertight' ring or a friction washer. may beyadded to'the'zend edgeoff-the adjusting. collar 26 which would'clingto the threads of coremember" l4.

As show'n, the more member l4 is preferably threaded externally from'endto end:save for the end'section I5 and preferably. of the-same size and'type threads,:and'the' collars "and .25 are internallyr threadedaccordingly. This one common-thread toconnect or join all .partswto'getlierdn a successful operating manner makes for convenience andreduced =-costs.

As thus-constructed, the showerheadis- 'madeup of but four metalpartsandtafiber washer; as shown in' Fig. 4:. The-metal parts may be ofsolidbra's'sscrew ma'chined products or of stain less ste'el or otheralloys: These parts, .with the usual ball; constitute? the mechanism forthe-iball and-socket pipe joint and the mechanism for fad justi-ng thewater spray gradually: from a rather enerous seak :-spray to a fineneedle spray'a B-y turning "the spr adjusting part still further; theshower' he'ad m be "fiushed. This is so simple sueh flushing and selfcleaning be'comes a habit a d-part -df the usual adjusting operation.-If need es; aiurther turnremoves the collar and the 'parts m'aybesc'rubb'ed clean.- No tools are required in these-operations;The-handsarekept out or 'th'e'- spra'y*streain, and water is saved andnot wasted'bathe-walls, floors, and'the like, or byfailure to'preserveflthe individual streams in the "positions" of adjustment forthe coarser streams.

Having thusidescribed the invention, what" is claimed-and desired tobesecured by Letters- Patent is:

1. A'showe'r head comprising "a'relatively short unitarycore-member'havinga rigid outerend sectiom said'member having awater'supply conriectiori 'atits inner and a threaded exterior", anadjusting sle'eve=like' collar threadedpn the member and having itsouter end 'portion closely engaging the'iperipheral edge of said endsection of the o'o're member; a=water passage in said mem-- her from thesaideorinectio'nto said'end'section; and spaced taperingspray grooves inan'd'faround one of the engaging surfaces of said adjustingcollarandfsaidend section and covered bjy the" other surface, whereby"the size of the individual spray-streams i'issuiiig through saidgrooves" may bevaried' by"rota3tiVely adjusting saidadjusting:

v collar.

' *2: Esnower fnead comprising'a; relatively-short unitary cylindricalcore member having a fixed spray grooved section at its outer end, saidmember havin a socket at its inner end and a threaded exterior, saidcore member having a passage for water from said socket to the saidsection, said section having spaced spray grooves formed across theperipheral edge thereof and around the same, and a collar threaded onsaid member and having a portion closely fitting said edge'of saidsection and confining emitted water from the head to said grooves toform a spray.

3. A shower head comprising a cylindrical core member having a fixedsection at its outer end, said member havin a socket at its inner end toreceive the ball of a ball-and-socket joint in a water supply pipe andits exterior threaded to receive the socket collar of said joint tosecure the core to the ball and pipe, said core having a passage forwater from said socket to the said section, said section having spacedtapered spray grooves formed across the peripheral edge thereof andaround the same, and an adjusting collar threaded on said member fromthe outer end thereof and having its outer end portion closely fittingsaid edge of said section with a substantially watertight engagement,said adjusting collar being adjustable lengthwise of said member byrotation thereon to cover more or less of the length of said grooves tovary the size of the water discharge openings thereof, said collarconfining the emitted water from the head to said grooves whereby toform fine or coarser individual spray streams according to its saidadjustment, said core member being relatively short and its threadedexterior limited in length substantially to that required for saidcollars.

4. A shower head comprising a single unitary cylindrical core memberhaving a threaded exterior and spaced outer end section of slightly lessdiameter rigid therewith, the inner end of said member being adapted toconnect with a supply pipe connection and having a water passagetherethrough to said section, said end section of the core having arelatively wide peripheral edge having outwardly pointed taperinggrooves across the face thereof and spaced apart around said edge, and aspray-adjusting sleevelike collar threaded on the core from the outerend thereof and having a smooth portion closely engaging said peripheraledge of the section and covering said grooves, said collar beingadjustable alon the core by rotation on its threaded connection to varythe size of the individual streams issuing from said grooves to form thespray.

5. A shower head comprising a core member having a spaced fixed outerend section, said core member being externally threaded from end to endsave for said section and the latter having a broad smooth peripheraledge surface slightly less in diameter than the threaded portion of thecore member, the inner end of said member being adapted to engage theapertured ball of a balland-socket connection and a water passagetherethrough to said end section, a socket collar to engage the ball andthreading onto the said inner end of the core member to clamp the balland core together in watertight and angularly adjustable relation, saidperipheral edge of the end section having outwardly pointed taperinggrooves across the face thereof and spaced apart around said edge, and aspray-adjusting sleeve threaded onto the core from the outer end thereofand having a smooth portion closely engaging said peripheral edge of thesection and covering said grooves, said sleeve being adjustable alon thecore member by turning on its threaded connection to vary the size ofthe streams issuing from said grooves to form the spray.

6. A shower head comprising a cylindrical core member having a spacedouter end section, said member having a water passage therethrough andbeing externally threaded from end to end except for said section andthe latter having a broad smooth peripheral edge surface slightly lessin diameter than the threaded portion of the core member, the inner endof said member being recessed and adapted to engage the apertured ballof a ball-and-socket connection, a socket collar to engage the ball andthreading onto the said inner end of the core member to clamp the balland member together in watertight and in frictional angular adjustablerelation, said'peripheral edge of said end section having outwardlypointed tapering grooves across the face thereof and spaced apart aroundsaid edge, and a sprayadjusting cylindrical sleeve having its inner endinternally threaded to screw on the outer end of said core member, theouter end of said sprayadjusting sleeve having an internal smoothcylindrical portion engaging said peripheral edge of said end sectionwith substantially watertight contact and rotatably and longitudinallymovable thereon, the inner wall of said sleeve between the said threadedportion and the said outer smooth portion being outwardly recessed, thesaid sleeve being adjusted by rotation on said member to vary the sizeof the individual streams of water emitted through the said grooves ortoposition the forward edge of the said recess beyond the end of saidsection to enable a flushing continuous cylindrical stream of water tobe emitted around the section.

7. In a shower head, a core member having a body with an outer endsection having a relatively broad smooth peripheral edge surfaceslightly less in diameter than the body of the core, said peripheraledge having outwardly pointed tapering grooves across the face thereofand spaced apart around said edge, and a sprayadjusting sleeve-likecollar threaded on the said core member and overlapping said endsection, said overlapping portion of the collar having a smoothcylindrical inwardly projecting ring-like strip adapted slidingly toengage said peripheral edge with substantially watertight closeness andconfining the emitted streams of water to said grooves, said collarbeing adjustable by rotation along the core member to adjust the size ofthe emitted streams through the grooves and similarly adjustable stillfurther outwardly to uncover said grooves to provide a flushing streampassage around'the said section, said collar being entirely removablefrom the core by further rotation to expose the core end section forthorough cleaning.

8. In a shower head, the combination of a core member having an outerend section, with a spray-adjusting collar threading onto said coremember, the peripheral edge surface of said end section having taperedpointed grooves across but angled slightly off the direction of the axisof the core and spaced around the said section of the core, said collarhaving an internal smooth ring-like portion closely engaging the face ofsaid peripheral edge and confining the emitted water to said grooves,said collar being adjustable longitudinally of the core by turning it onits said threaded connection to cover more or less agavepeiofithe'length er said" grooves --to "vary the streams therefrom'f-romfine to eoa-rser streams.

-9-.- ina shower -head;-a-single unitary cylindrical core ha inanexternalthread from end to end and asmoothspaced'c'entrally supported:end resection having wpe'riph-eral iitapered :-:and pointed edgegrooves running islightlyihelicoidal of the axis-of the;cylindricalvcoreesaid' core having a, recess formed in its inner end andwater passagesthrough it into the'space adiacentithe Said section,saidcore being adapted toff-be; sebi rediandjclamped "at its'inneri endto ftlie apertnred- ,ball" of aball' and-sockeifcbnnedtiorr .by. asocket "collar 'engaging'the ball" and threading onto the end of saidthreaded core, and an adjusting collar threaded on the other end of saidcore and having a portion closely contacting said peripheral edge ofsaid section to vary the size of the spray streams accordingly.

10. In a shower head, divergent spray-producing means comprisingrelatively longitudinally movable members in slidable watertight facialcontact, and individual tapering spray stream passages in the face ofone of said members and covered by the other member, said passagesextending at a divergent helicoidal angle to the longitudinal directionof said movement of said members, whereby the cross-sectional size ofthe divergent streams issuing from the head to form the spray may becontrolled by the relative longitudinal adjustment of the members andthe individuality of the issuing streams be maintained by said facialcontact throughout the range of adjustment.

11. A shower head comprising a cylindrical spray stream diversionmember, a sleeve member surrounding the said cylindrical member inrelatively slidable watertight facial contact therewith, generallylongitudinal tapering spaced spray grooves in one of said members andcovered by the other member, said grooves extending at an angle to theaxis of said members in general helical relation thereto to produce adivergent spray in which the size of the individual streams thereof maybe varied by the longitudinal adjustment of the members and theindividuality of the issuing streams be maintained by such facialcontact in any such position of adjustment.

12. A shower head comprising a cylindrical spray stream diversionmember, a sleeve member surrounding the said cylindrical member inrelatively slidable watertight facial contact therewith, generallylongitudinal tapering spaced spray grooves in said cylindrical memberand covered by the sleeve member, said grooves extending at an angle tothe axis of said members in general helical relation thereto, whereby adivergent spray is produced by the head and the size of the individualstreams thereof may be adjusted by the relative longitudinal movement ofthe members and the individuality of the issuing streams be maintainedin any such adjustment.

13. A shower head comprising a cylindrical spray stream diversionmember, a sleeve member surrounding the said cylindrical member inrelatively slidable watertight facial contact therewith, a threadedconnection between said members to cause said longitudinal movement bythe relative rotation of said members, generally longitudinal taperingspaced spray grooves in one of said members and covered by the othermember, said grooves extending at an angle to the axis of said membersin general helical relation thereto, whereby a divergent spray isproduced by the head and the size of the individual streams thereii) ofadjusted bytherelativerotation of the'-'mem- ,bers and the individualityof -the'st-reams'-=main- "tained by: the facial-contact in any suchadjustment.

-14. Ashower-head comprising a core having a non-rotatablecylindricalaspray *streamdiversion mem-b'en -a' sleeve'member -threaded on the-coreand surrounding; the said' cylindricalimember in slidablewatertightfacial contact therewith-generallylongitudinal"tapering-spaced spray grooves fin-*-sa id-*diversion:memberand covered byfithe sleeve;-said: rooves extending -at' an angle to theaxis of said members inaskew relation'thereto; whereby" a divergentgspray' is produced'byi the head-and the'sizeof theindividualstreamsthereof may be adjusted by the rotation and longitudinal movement of thesleeve and the individual!- ty of the streams be maintained in any suchadjustment.

15. A shower head comprising a core member having an externalcylindrical surface divided by generally parallel and generallyaxially-extending fluid passages circumferentially spaced about the axisof said surface, and a cylindrical sleeve having an internal cylindricalsurface surrounding and having relative axial movement and fluid-tightengagement with respect to the cylindrical surface of the core memberand covering the said passages therein, the medial point of the exit endof each passage being circumferentially offset in general helicalrelation with respect to the medial point of the entrance end to thepassage, the circumferential ofiset of the exit and entrance of thepassages being in the same circumferential direction.

16. A shower head having a core member with an external cylindricalsurface divided by generally parallel and generally axially-extendingfluid passages circumferentially spaced about the axis of said surface,and a cylindrical sleeve having an internal cylindrical surfacesurrounding and havin relative axial movement and fluidtight engagementwith respect to the cylindrical surface of the core and covering thesaid passages therein, the axial plane through the medial point of theexit end of each passage being angularly offset with respect to theaxial plane through the medial point of the entrance end to the passage,the angular offset displacement of the exit and entrance of the passagesbeing in the same circumferential direction, said passages beinggenerally helical.

1'7. A shower head core having an external cylindrical surface, and acylindrical sleeve having an internal cylindrical surface surroundingand having relative axial movement and fluidtight engagement withrespect to the cylindrical surface of the core, one of said cylindricalsurfaces being divided by generally parallel and generallyaxially-extending fluid passages circumferentially spaced about the axisof said core, said passages being generally helical.

18. A shower head core having an external cylindrical surface, and acylindrical sleeve having an internal cylindrical surface surroundingand have relative axial movement and fluidtight engagement with respectto the cylindrical surface of the core, one of said cylindrical surfacesbeing divided by generally parallel and generally axially-extendingfluid passages circumferentially spaced about the axis of said core, themedial point of the exit end of each passage being circumferentiallyoffset with respect to the medial point of the entrance end to thepassage, the circumferential offset of the exit and entrance of thepassages being in the same circumferential direction.

4 19. A valve head having an external cylindrical surface, a cylindricalvalve sleeve having an internal cylindrical surface surrounding andhaving relative axial movement and fluid-tight en- .gagement withrespect to the cylindrical surface of the-valve head, one of saidcylindrical surfaces being divided by generally parallel and generallyaxially-extending fluid passages circumferentiallyspaced about the axisof said head, the axial ,plane throughthe medial point of the exit endof each passage being angularly offset with re- ,spect to the axialplane through the medial point sofrjtheentrance end to the passage, theangular 15 12 offset of the exit and entrance of the passages being inthe same circumferential direction.

RICHARD M. GROSSMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 1,758,119 Moon -1 May 13, 19302,049,141 Schneider July 28, 1936 2,085,854 Hathaway July 6, 193'!2,118,943

Price May 31, 1938

